02/07/2019 / By Michelle Simmons
A study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research suggests that ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome can help relieve or prevent coughs without causing an addictive effect.
For thousands of years, ginger rhizome has been used in traditional medicine for fever, bronchial asthma, and cough. However, the active principle of the formulation has not yet been fully determined.
Researchers from The University of Burdwan in India and Comenius University in Slovakia looked at the antitussive activity of ginger rhizome. For the study, they examined a water-extracted polysaccharide (WEP) that contains a fraction of ginger rhizome. They administered the formulation in doses of 25 and 50 milligrams per kilogram body weight (mg/kg BW) in guinea pigs.
The results revealed that treatment with ginger rhizome greatly prevented the number of citric acid-induced cough efforts in guinea pigs. In addition, it did not change the specific airway smooth muscle reactivity significantly. Furthermore, the treatment did not cause any addictive effect on guinea pigs. These results support the traditional use of ginger rhizome as an antitussive medicine.
Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that ginger rhizome can help relieve or prevent coughs without causing an addictive effect. (Related: A Miracle Homemade Cough Syrup with Ginger, Honey and Lemon You Should Try.)
Ginger is a flowering plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. Ginger, which originated from China, has a long history of use in different forms of traditional and alternative medicine. It is packed with many nutrients and bioactive compounds, making it one of the healthiest spices in the world. The underground part of the stem called rhizome is the part typically used as a spice. It is also referred to as ginger root or ginger. This superfood offers the following health benefits:
Read more news stories and studies on the health benefits of ginger by going to NaturalMedicine.news.
Sources include:
Tagged Under: alternative medicine, antitussive, Cough, ginger, ginger rhizomes, herbal medicine, natural cures, natural medicine, natural remedies, natural treatment, Zingiber officinale